National – Workers’ Compensation Research Institute published a new study National Inventory of Workers’ Compensation Medica Costs for 2024. The study tracks the following regulations:
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- Professional and facility fee regulations covering different providers
- Limitation of some types of medical services
- Choice of initial treating provider and change of provider regulations
- Regulations covering managed care and use of treatment guidelines
- Rules covering timely payments to providers, fines, and dispute resolution
Connecticut – A public hearing was scheduled for CT HB 5279 on February 29, 2024. CT HB 5279, if passed, would expand workers’ compensation to include deaths or disabilities resulting from a cerebrovascular incident or pulmonary embolism for firefighters or police officers and would expand the time when an officer or firefighter is considered in the line of duty to start 24 hours after attending training or engaging in duties.
Florida – HB 159/SB 1320 would allow licensed pharmacies to screen for HIV exposure as well as order and dispense HIV infection-preventing drugs. The bill passed the House last week and is now in the Senate.
Hawaii – Two House bills to note:
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- HB 1836 would allow, during a declared state of emergency, pharmacists to prescribe and fill prescriptions up to a thirty-day supply of controlled substances.
- HB 2630 would allow for the administration of psilocybin for therapeutic use. According to the legislation, clinical trials of psilocybin have shown promising results for treating mental health conditions.
Oklahoma – SB 1457 was introduced by two Republican Senators Greg Treat and Chris Kannady. SB 1457 is currently still in the Senate. If passed, the bill aims to ensure first responders receive workers' compensation. Specifically, the bill states that if a doctor believes a first responder is unable to perform his/her job or an alternative work offered by the employee, the injured first responder will be entitled to receive compensation that is 70% of the first responder's average weekly wage or receive compensation that is greater than the weekly benefit provided.
New Mexico – HB 33, also known as the Prescription Price Transparency Act, unanimously passed the Senate. HB 33 aims to increase transparency across the prescription drug supply chain. Specifically, this bill would require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to report drug price trends to the superintendent of insurance.
Virginia – With 11 days left in the legislative session, Virginia has been very productive in passing legislation through the House and Senate. Below are a few bills of note:
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- SB 74 also known as Prescription Monitoring Program. SB 74 would refigure the Director of the Department of Health Professionals to release confidential information from the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) to a specific investigation.
- HB1402/SB 660 would penalize anyone who did not obtain a license before providing pharmacy benefits management (PBM) services with a civil penalty of $5,000 for each day on which such violation occurs.
- HB 1067 which expands allowable duties for pharmacy technicians passed the Senate. HB 1067 allows pharmacy technicians to refill prescriptions for Schedule VI drugs and clarify quantity. In addition, the bill would allow pharmacy technicians to accept electronic transfers of a refill for a Schedule VI drug.
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